Canadian Minerals And Metals Sector A Framework For Discussion And Consultation PDF Download

The focus of this discussion paper is the application of the sustainable development concept in the context of mineral exploration and in the first two stages of mineral & metal production. The introduction sets out the context, noting the challenge of sustainable development and the need to address challenges of an economic & social nature as well as environmental challenges. Part I explains how sustainable development applies to minerals & metals and presents concepts for implementing sustainable development in that sector. Part II reviews the nature of the Canadian minerals & metals industry and the importance of the industry to the economy. The role of the federal government in the minerals & metals sector and the environment is described in part III. Part IV examines the sustainable development challenges facing the minerals & metals industry and proposes 32 policy guidelines to address them. The challenges are grouped under five broad headings: improved decision-making, sustainable operations, exploration & development, social infrastructure, and international leadership. Part V looks at the government role in science & technology and considers Natural Resources Canada's strategic renewal document and the Memorandum of Understanding that the department entered into with three other natural resource departments. Part VI concludes with a summary of the key themes raised in the paper and the next steps in a consultative process to develop a new federal mineral & metal policy based on sustainable development.